Minutes - City Council Meeting June 9th, 2025 6:30 pm Baldwin Municipal Courtroom, 155 Willingham Avenue, Baldwin, GA 30511 Mayor Stephanie Almagno, Councilmember Erik Keith, Councilmember Kerri Davis, and Councilmember Alice Venter were in attendance. Call Meeting to Order Mayor Almagno called the meeting to order at 6:33 pm. Invocation and Pledge Lincoln Tope led the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Almagno listed those present for the Facebook livestream. Action: A motion was made by Alice Venter to amend the agenda to table the Second Reading of Oak Terrace Ordinance #2025-05162Z until the June 26th council meeting with a second by Erik Keith. Motion Carried 3-0. Consent Agenda a. Approval of Minutes: Executive Session 8/12/24, 8/26/24, and 3/24/25; Council Meeting 5/27/25, and Work Session 6/3/25. Action: A motion was made by Alice Venter to approve the consent agenda as presented with a second by Kerri Davis. Motion Carried 3-0. Public Comments Jack Sharpshair Jack Sharpshair of 1100 Chandler Heights Circle addressed Council regarding the budget. He stated he understood the underlying problem is inflation, and that he didn't agree with another citizen's suggestion at the town hall meeting to cut employee benefits. Mr. Sharpshair asked if Council and staff had met with other cities in Habersham about how they are addressing inflation and increasing costs. Mayor Almagno responded that employees and department heads were involved in the budget process in the beginning, and that a bigger conversation of the sustainability of smaller cities is needed. Public Hearings Briceno Zoning Change Ordinance #2025-05163Z Legal Counsel Jack Samuels introduced the public hearing for the Briceno Zoning Change Ordinance #2025-05163Z at 6:52 pm. No one came forward to speak in favor or in opposition. The public hearing was left open while other issues were discussed. FY2026 Budget Council Meeting Minutes June 9th, 2025 Page I 1 Legal Counsel Jack Samuels introduced the public hearing fori the proposed FY2026 budget at 6:56 pm. Mayor Almagno requested civility SO that everyone can have their opportunity to speak. Joe Elam of 200 Sappling Place stated that the presented budget is not balanced and is not based off audited FY24 numbers. He encouraged Council to vote against the proposed budget. Tom Whitney of 189 Crooked Pine Trail stated that the hearing would not likely result in any changes, but what concrete steps the City will take to prevent this same situation next year. Whitney said that a plan is needed before the Council votes. Cindy Lifsey of 253 Chandler Heights Circle stated she did not understand why a city as small as Baldwin needs a budget of this size, and that items that "nobody looks at" like office supplies, uniforms, vehicles, police and fire are what contribute to the total. She said, "everything needs to be looked at, and that there are many residents with large parcels of land but have fixed incomes that will be affected by a drastic tax increase. Debbie Satterfield of 153 Chandler Street stated that she lived here for 70 years and that she would hate to have to move because of the "greed" ofthe City. James Wiese of 280 Little Chandler Place said he would like to do a further look into the budget before it's passed. Wiese stated that he wants to keep the small town feel of Baldwin, but that he was not in favor of cutting police, fire, or City: staff, and that a plan is needed other than "cutting and cutting." Andrea Harper of 501 Willingham Avenue stated that as a former County Commissioner, she did not envy the Council of their position. She urged Council to not cut employees or animal control services. She suggested selling the old Public Works building on Willingham Avenue and any other properties that could be sold. Jack Samuels closed the Briceno public hearing and budget public hearing at 7:13 pm. Reports Old Business ----- - 05162Z 2. Consideration/Approval of FY26 Appointments Mayor Almagno reviewed the proposed appointments discussed at the June work session. Action 1: A motion was made by Kerri Davis to nominate Councilmember Alice Venter as Mayor Pro Tem with a second by Erik Keith. Motion Carried 3-0. Action 2: A motion was made by Alice Venter to approve the FY26 presented with a second by Kerri Davis. Motion Carried 3-0. Appointments as Council Meeting Minutes June 9th, 2025 Page 12 3. Consideration/Approwal of New Council Meeting Schedule - Ordinance #2025-06164 As discussed at the June work session, it is proposed to reduce the number of times Council meets per month because of citizen feedback at the town hall meeting. Instead of meeting three separate times a month, the work session and Council meeting will be back-to-back once per month. Mayor Almagno read the highlighted portion of the ordinance. Action: A motion was made by Alice Venter to approve the first reading of Ordinance #2025-06164 as presented with a second by Kerri Davis. Motion Carried 3-0. New Business Executive Session Announcements a. The first meeting for the 2025 City of Baldwin Comprehensive Plan will be June 11th at 5:30 pm at Baldwin City Hall. All Baldwin residents, business owners, and stakeholders are invited to provide feedback fori the City's next 5-Year Plan and join the committee if interested. Please contact chodeiecibothaldwinarg for more information or to RSVP. b. The Banks County Library On the Go will be set up at the TAP Yard at 110 Airport Road from 11 am - 12:00 pm every Friday through the end of July. All residents are welcome to check out or return books. Additionally, those visiting the mobile library with children can receive food bags courtesy of the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia. C. The 3rd Annual Baldwin Water Wari is this Saturday from 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm at Mitchell Gailey Park! Bring your water guns and a towel to beat the heat and kick off summer vacation! d. Join us for Theron's Theater at the TAP Yard on June 27th at 8:30 pm for a free screening of Wonka! Bring a chair or blanket and enjoy a night under the stars with your friends and family! Concessions are available with all proceeds going to Shop with a Hero. Mayor Almagno opened the floor for discussion between the Council and residents the proposed budget and remarks made during the public hearing. regarding Adjournment Action: A motion was made by Alice Venter to adjourn the meeting with a second by Kerri Davis. Motion Carried 3-0 at 7:58 pm. Stephanie Almagno, Mayor Date 6/2612025 OF BAL Erin Gathercoal, City Clerk CITY SEAL Council Meeting Minutes June 9th 2025 Page |3 GP